Wednesday's letters

Wednesday

Jul 23, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Stop urban sprawl

I understand and empathize with rural residents who object to the urban sprawl being forced on them by Pat Neal and other developers.

Rural residents moved into areas that have wildlife and lots of open space because that's the life they prefer. They ought to be left alone to enjoy the fruits of their labor. And they're right to raise a ruckus when developers attempt to destroy their way of life.

What I don't understand is the silence of downtown Venice merchants when they learn of efforts to develop urban "gated communities" in far-flung rural areas of Sarasota County (basically east of I-75).

These dense, cookie-cutter developments attract big-box stores and strip malls that suck the life out of downtown merchants. Why drive a couple miles downtown or even a mile to U.S. 41 for shoes, shirts or an ice cream cone, when you can go right around the corner from your gated community?

I've seen three different downtown areas in the U.S. become basically ghost towns when urban sprawl siphoned off all the customers to suburban malls. None of these cities have recovered and I doubt they will in our children's and grandchildren's lifetimes.

Sarasota County commissioners and Venice city officials, please stop the urban sprawl and/or adhere to the original intent of the 2050 Plan.

Robert Kaercher

Venice

Drugs and the border

Why are these kids crossing the southern border, leaving their homes with the blessings of their parents?

The answer is: because it's too dangerous to stay. Why? Because of the drug gangs pulling these kids into their gangs and killing rival gang members and their families. Why? To get more of the drug trafficking money.

If U.S citizens weren't buying the drugs, there would be no money in trafficking, ergo no money in transporting drugs, no kids getting killed and a reduction in border crossings.

A simple solution: If we decriminalized drugs, many of our large law enforcement, penal and court institutions would have to downsized, and we would be saving kids' lives.

Frank Rivera

Sarasota

Hamas rejects peace

The author of the letter "Try freedom in Gaza" (Monday Herald-Tribune) does not understand the true conflict.

Hamas' goal is to obliterate Israel and the Jews -- it does not recognize Israel's right to exist, is not interested in peace, and will never allow it. Its whole purpose is the destruction of Israel. That is why it does not respect any ceasefire and why it continuously puts the Palestinian population in harm's way as human shields.

Until the citizens of Gaza acknowledge Hamas' evil manipulation and rebel, there is no chance for peace.

As to the writer's suggestion of giving freedom a chance, almost 10 years ago Israel pulled out of Gaza. No soldiers or settlers were left behind. Israel wanted this new Palestinian state to succeed. It opened border crossings and encouraged commerce.

However, instead of building a state with political and economic institutions, the Palestinians elected Hamas, which has spent the better part of a decade turning Gaza into a massive military base from which to destroy Israel.

Where are the roads and rail, the industry and infrastructure of the new Palestinian state? Nowhere. Instead, Hamas built mile upon mile of tunnels to hide its weapons and spent millions importing and producing rockets, launchers, mortars, small arms, and even drones.

The writer is correct on one count: There are no easy answers. Giving the Palestinians freedom in Gaza did not work. The starting point is for the Palestinians to reject Hamas and its influence.

Cathy Reinitz

Lakewood Ranch

A taking of the bayfront

Regarding the article "Bayfront Plans Get Closer Look":

The capital investment firm Seven Holdings has asked to be given access to 40-plus acres of publicly owned Sarasota bayfront property worth about $80 million, so it can build a hotel, conference center and aquarium.

The firm plans to finance this for-profit construction project by securing $220 million to be raised by selling municipal bonds.

Since construction of the proposed private construction project would take most of the Van Wezel's parking lot, the hall's patrons will, no doubt, have to pay to park in a nearby parking garage.

What's wrong with this picture? In my mind, the proposed project requires an improper (if not illegal) taking of valuable public land, which was determined to be used only for public cultural facilities.

Ronny Salomon

Sarasota

Springs were a bad deal

If an income-producing property is for sale and is not purchased by a private investor, it isn't a good deal. It is either overpriced, incapable of generating a profit, or needs too much work to bring it up to code.

That is the real-world reality.

And it is exactly the argument that was made against the purchase of Warm Mineral Springs by Sarasota County and the city of North Port.

But the powers that be were determined to purchase the property and they did. Quickly the partnership went sour. Potential operators wanted major repairs as part of any agreement and, ultimately, interested parties faded away.

Now the latest twist is that the city may buy out the county, giving it the ability to make unilateral decisions. The reader can determine winners and losers in this newest chapter of "As the Springs Turn."